Juggernaut, 'Brookski' ready to move on

MIAMI - Ms. Brookski earned herself a ticket into the My Dear Girl Stakes, final leg of the Florida Stallion Series, while Juggernaut likely earned himself a ticket out of town after posting impressive victories in Saturday's $100,000 Brave Raj and Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Calder.

Ms. Brookski overcame an eventful start and rough trip to run down Redoubled Miss and post a head decision in the Brave Raj for 2-year-old fillies. Juggernaut opened a long lead and then easily held off The Judge Sez Who to register a 1 3/4-length win in the Foolish Pleasure for colts and geldings.

Ms. Brookski worked her way through traffic before closing with good energy in the middle of the track to catch Redoubled Miss. The latter circled horses to gain command in early stretch, edged clear, but cold not last. Ciudad de Carson finished third. Bold World, the tepid favorite off her victory in the Susan's Girl Stakes, forced the pace before weakening through the stretch.

Ms. Brookski, who is owned by Phil Combest and trained by his father, Reed Combest, paid $6.60 after covering a mile and 70 yards in 1:47.16 over a fast track. She was ridden by Rosemary Homeister Jr.

"She did it the hard way," said the elder Combest. "She kind of leaned in and hit her head at the break. We certainly didn't plan for her to be so far back early. I'm convinced now she is absolutely a nice filly and I'll certainly take my chances in the next one [the $400,000 My Dear Girl on Oct. 13]."

Juggernaut forced a lively pace, opened a long lead around the second bend, then had plenty left to maintain a clear advantage over The Judge Sez Who in the Foolish Pleasure. The latter rallied from last to easily be second best in a field of 10 2-year-old colts and geldings. Mountain Forum finished third.

Juggernaut ran a mile and 70 yards in 1:45.89 and paid $5.60 as the favorite under regular rider Abel Castellano Jr.

"He really impressed me today, especially the way he ran on this kind of [deep] track," said trainer Larry Pilotti. "We'll see how he comes out of the race, but our options could be the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland or the Champagne."

Juggernaut is not eligible for the $400,000 In Reality Stakes, final leg of the open division of the Florida Stallion Series.